The Art of Chaos and Darkness

Chapter Five

Valda had sat in the dark and watched the Mandalorian leave the ship.

"Stay put," was all he'd told her before disappearing in a wave of muggy air that rushed into the cargo hold as the ramp lowered. Watery light filtered through the open doorway and Valda hesitantly reached her fingers out into it, soaking up the warmth. It was the first time she'd seen any natural light in a long time.

The moon was tiny and so backwater that the Mandalorian had left her here alone and chained to the wall with the ramp wide open for anyone to find her. Still, she welcomed the humid breeze that blew through the strands of her filthy hair and touched the permanently icy cold interior of the ship. Either the Mandalorian didn't feel cold beneath his beskar or his ship lacked a heating system.

Either way Valda was always shivering, her too thin body trying uselessly to warm her and heal her wounds at the same time. She reached a tentative hand to her throat and winced. The skin felt raw and swollen. His grip had ripped open the few shallow scabs that had managed to form beneath the shock collar. Swallowing food and water was excruciating.

Another humid and warm breeze blew through the ship, bringing with it the scent of swamp and mud. Valda leaned back her head and closed her eyes. Maybe she could sleep-

The buzzing of insects stopped. Total silence enveloped the world.

Valda's eyes flew open and every muscle in her body tensed at once. She held still, scarcely breathing and strained her ears.

There- so faint. Someone who knew how to hide their approach but not quite well enough. She counted just one. And she knew in her gut it wasn't the Mandalorian.

Swearing softly to herself, Valda pressed her back against the cold metal of the ship. It was dim inside, a harsh change from the light outside. Her eyes were already adjusted so she would have that advantage unless the assailant wore a visor of some kind. She held her breath and felt the vibrations as the bounty hunter stepped onto the boarding ramp. She became all too aware of the restraints around her wrists that would limit her ability and the wounds across her body that made her weak. Vulnerable.

A man's shoulders appeared in the gloom of the ship and then the rest of his body. He was tall, at least a foot on her. He wore light armor but was weighed down with at least a dozen weapons. Two blasters and a vibro blade across his back. He held a blaster rifle in his hands. No visor covered his face, allowing her to see his buzzed blond hair. He moved carefully and quietly scanning the ship. She only had a few seconds before he turned and saw her.

Valda grabbed the chain anchored to the wall for leverage and hoisted her body up. Arm muscles straining, she held herself in the air until the bounty hunter moved into range. She settled her whole weight into her feet and then slammed them both into the square of the bounty hunter's back. He flew forward, scattering the boxes in his way. Wood splintered beneath his weight. He immediately rolled to his back, aiming his blaster at her as he moved.

Valda let go of the chains and dropped to the floor. The bounty hunter fired a shot and she threw herself to the side just in time, the heat searing her cheek. The blast buried itself in the ship paneling, smoking. Valda spun, anticipating the next shot. She yanked the chain taut and the blast shot through it, shattering the restraint. Valda dove for cover as another series of blasts following her. Crates exploded, wood pieces hurled through the air. Splinters stung her exposed face.

"Valda Aslyran," The bounty hunter panted. "I have a big sum of money promised to me for your head to be served up on a spike."

Oh, he knew her name. This was not good.

Valda crouched behind the remaining crates, letting him talk while she scanned the area of anything to use as a weapon. And came up empty. She was free from the chain anchoring her to the wall but her wrists were still bound together, severely limiting her movement.

Fuck

Valda risked a look over the box. The bounty hunter was standing, advancing on her now. "You're a dead woman walking, Aslyran."

Maybe she should let herself die. Rob the Mandalorian of his big pay day and rid herself of all her problems.

A shot rang out, exploding the crate to her left. Valda's body protested, pain shooting up her limbs as she slammed herself into the cold floor, arms covering her head. But no more shots followed it.

She slowly pushed herself off the ground, peering around the boxes. The Mandalorian stood there, blaster smoking. The bounty hunter was slumped over dead on the floor.

"Are there any others?" He asked her, slowly scanning the area.

"No. Just the one."

"He killed the spaceport worker. He's outside." The Mandalorian holstered his weapon. "Let's hope he put enough fuel in the ship." He looked to her and seemed to realize she was free of the chain anchored to the wall. The Mandalorian punched the button on the side of the wall, raising the ramp. Then he grabbed her by the arms and half-dragged her into the cockpit with him.

He threw her in the co-pilot seat. "Don't move. Don't think about trying anything." He slid into the pilot's seat and began prepping the ship for take off.

Valda slumped down in the seat. Now was the perfect time, he was occupied and distracted. Sitting down he wouldn't have easy reach of his weapons. She shifted her weight and pain lanced up her side. She'd never get a strike in, not in this condition. She needed to wait longer.

The Mandalorian piloted the ship away from the spaceport and they flew into the upper atmosphere. He plotted a course for hyperspace and the ship leapt into the stars at a dizzying speed. He released the controls and stood. "Did he wound you?"

Valda shook her head and the Mandalorian pushed her to her feet again. Back into the cargo hold she was led where he inspected the blaster shot to the wall. He acquired a new length of chain to secure her with. He tossed her a ration packet from his satchel and left without another word.

Valda tore it open, forcing herself to ignore the pain in her throat and eat the food.

She would need all her strength.